mourn

verb

ˈmȯrn 

mourned; mourning; mourns

intransitive verb

1

: to feel or express grief or sorrow

When he dies, people throughout the world will mourn.

—often used with for

thousands mourned for him

2

: to show the customary signs of grief for a death

especially : to wear mourning

mourned for thirty days in black clothes

3

: to murmur mournfully

—used especially of doves

transitive verb

1

: to feel or express grief or sorrow for

mourned the death of his son

mourning the loss of their youth

2

: to utter mournfully

… let the whirlwind mourn its requiem!

—W. S. Gilbert

mourner noun

mourningly

ˈmȯr-niŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of mourn

• grieve

Examples of mourn in a Sentence

She is still mourning her husband, who died last year.

Thousands of people mourned his death.

She was mourned by everyone who knew her.

She mourned the loss of her youth.

He still mourns the fact that he never went to college.

Recent Examples on the Web

Though changes were made, following her husband's sudden and unexpected death at age 42 in 1861, the heartbroken Queen Victoria wore mourning dress for the rest of her life and never sported the sentimental tiara again. —Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 4 Dec. 2025

As Long's family continue to mourn her loss and hope for justice one day, investigators will continue their work. —Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee, center, and other government officials observe a moment of silence to mourn victims of the fire. —Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 4 Dec. 2025

The Sullys still mourn the loss of their son, Neteyam (Jamie Flatters). —Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English murnan; akin to Old High German mornēn to mourn, Greek mermēra care — more at memory

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for mourn

• borne
• bourn
• bourne
• corn
• morn
• porn
• scorn
• shorn
• sworn
• thorn
• torn
• warn

Kids Definition

mourn

verb

ˈmō(ə)rn 

ˈmȯ(ə)rn

1

: to feel or show grief or sorrow especially over someone's death

2

: to display the customary signs of grief for a death especially by wearing mourning

mourner noun